Lens and Needle

For Kicks Patchwork Ball

Some year I want to hand make all the gifts I give for Christmas. This year I'm not doing that, however I am making a few gifts, one of which is Anna Maria Horner's For Kicks Patchwork Ball (found in Seams to Me). I sewed this cute toy up yesterday, and I must say it was pretty fun! 

You start by cutting out all the hexagons and pentagons, 32 pieces in all! I used my mat and rotary cutter to do this, making it go fairly fast. 

 

Then I started sewing together the hexagons and pentagons. This part was a bit tricky at first, but once you sew a few together you figure it out. 

 

Don't forget to stop and refill your coffee cup! 

 

And never, absolutely never embark on a sewing project without one of these dandy's. A seam ripper is a seamstresses best friend! 

 

After I got all the pieces sewed, with just two pieces left open, I stuffed the ball with Poly-Fil. Make sure to stuff the ball really well; otherwise it won't hold it's shape when being played with. 

 

Then I hand-sewed the ball closed. And it's done! Now I have a nice handmade toy to give my little sisters for Christmas, and it only cost me an afternoon and a few dollars. 

 

Sewing Books I enjoy:

Seams to Me 

Bend-the-Rules Sewing

Handmade Home

 

 

Emily ~ Class of 2012

Earlier this month I had the privilege of taking this lovely young lady's senior portraits. Thank you Emily, you were so fun to photograph!

Here is a peek of all the fun... :-)

 

a Saturday at the Portland Farmers Market

 
 
live music. :)

 

 
beautiful handmade goods.

 

 
fun, not-handmade goods. :)

 

 
my beautiful new friend Amy buying a hat!

 

 
more handmade goodies.

 

 
food... now we're talkin'.

 

 
i love that i caught the moment here. street photography is so fun!

 

 
and the perfect way to end a visit to the market... a visit to Stumptown Coffee! mmmm.

 

 

Portrait Assignments at IPS

 
Outdoor Portraits: used reflectors and available natural light

Outdoor Portraits: used reflectors and available natural light 

 
Indoor Portraits: used reflectors and flashes

 
Indoor Portraits: used reflectors and flashes

 

Lovely Models (in order of appearance): Peter, Evie, Joanna, Tiff

For the past two weeks I have been in Portland, OR, attending IPS's Prizewinning Photography 1 & 2. And I must say, I had THE BEST time!!! Rowan & Jocelyn Gillson and Andie Haugenwere the greatest teachers and so much fun! I learned so much about photography, and made lots of new friends too! I can't wait to go to another IPS workshop!!

A few more PWP photos (the last two posts' I took in Portland too)...

 

 

 

 

If you love photography and want to learn how to take great photos, I highly recommend IPS!

 

black and white

 

 

 

colorful alley

 

i walked past this alley, giving it only a quick side-ways glance. i hadn't walked many more steps when i stopped, went back, and snapped this one photo. though it may not have the best composition, i love it anyways. the colors, the light, everything. except maybe the giant blue garbage can. ;-)

me & batman

 
 

 

I'm sitting here, searching my brain for those just-right words. But they don't come. So I pick a photo, hit "insert", and start thinking of what to post tomorrow.

 

I am back.

what i wore

on wednesday i went to choir practice and this is what i wore...

 

 

 

dress: Modcloth

jeggings: Gap

heels: Target

earrings: Target

ring: Etsy

braclets: hand-me-down

 

i really loved this outfit. it made me feel pretty and feminine, and i wore heels with jeans without feeling awkward and tall. i'm only 5'5", but sometimes when i wear three inch heels i feel too tall. maybe it's just that i have short friends? ;)

 

yesterday i went to get my hair a much needed cut and color. i got several inches trimmed off, and a cute bob is the result. i also changed my fringe bangs to short and sweet swooped bangs. i love the change. i'm loving my short hair! i might even go short after graduation. something like this maybe. we'll see. :) anyways, here is what i wore!

 

 

 

tee: Forever 21, hand-me-down

skirt: Forever 21

tights: Gap

flats: Steve Madden

earrings: Ruche

sunglasses: Modcloth

braclets: hand-me-down

 

i liked this outfit too, but didn't like the black shoes with the rest of it. i really wished i had a cute pair of yellow wedges like these, or these strappy sandals.

 

okay, it's sleepy time for me. have a great weekend!!

*photos of the second outfit taken by my mom. thanks mom!